Given that it is possible to connect from the same platform (especially given that the Reading services come from Abbey Wood), it seems perfectly reasonable to me to make this announcement.
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Elizabeth line reliability issues
- Thread starter mrmartin
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That's odd, every train I'm seems to cut it off at a different time, as if it was being cancelled manually.
Had some delays today due to a broken down train heading on recovery mode from custom house. Service took a while to recover and then as it was an issue around Hayes and Harlington - Paddington further delayed things.
Minimum numbers at Bond Street and A fire alarm evacuation at Farringdon has added to the fun today.
Minimum numbers at Bond Street and A fire alarm evacuation at Farringdon has added to the fun today.
It should be attached to Maidenhead and Reading services only. But it will advertise it within the Oyster area - you’d be surprised by how many people try to use Oyster and Slough. It might be added to more since services now run through.
As for auto-reverse, 24tph peak can’t be achieved without due to the turn around times. The other alternative would be double staffing the trains but you’d need a load more drivers to do it. Also provision should all trains have to be cancelled further West to turn them back (even though in reality they would be sent to Old Oak Common)
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Jamiescott1
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Signal faliure at TCR this morning, cancellations and delays across the entire line
Well tbh they aren't as new as some think. Still about 6 to 7 years old and most of it is software. They're a frankenstien of a unit in that the software base was built on older electrostar software mixed with all the needed safety systems for 3 signal system operation and a the general requirements for COS running. Unlike the 720s and subsequent who got the latest software base for the actual train.
A lot of the issues are coupled are that part of that software is also outsourced so there are a few niggles that will be ironed out hopefully. Don't forget they still have to in that time of bug fixing be upgrading the units software too with updates. Was told by a tech this would all take 1 year or so.
It’s not so much the train - although this particularly one yesterday failed over and over again, but the subsequent recovery from that, especially when the train fails at a major junction where all trains run through. As to why, well it’s a great question that I’m sure Alstom, Siemens & TfL are seriously looking into. It’s also often not a small failure but one where Plan A, B, C have failed. 345s are incredibly complex in their software which is a major issue, not to mention the various signalling modes they transition through - this was of course a major reason why Crossrail was delayed so the underlying problems which much lessened still exist to some degree.
Yesterday though the GEML didn’t fair too badly.
If you have a major infrastructure failure at say Tottenham Court Road for start of service and an hour so afterwards (this morning), you’re easily looking at 3 hours of delays as services are held in depots and need to be reinstated methodically after decimating the central section where all trains are supposed to run through. It’s a tube style service on heavy rail, not an easy proposition.
Part of the issue is transitioning between the various signalling systems. This is still an issue on the sub-surface lines of LU although not as pronounced any more given trains on the Met and District lines are only changing over once.
From a Control point of view you have the separation of infrastructure and operations which doesn’t really work on a metro/rapid transit service. This is then further complicated by the inexperience of both control teams who seem to apply an approach which again is not really suited to a high-frequency Metro service. An example of how a simple incident (e.g. a train sitting down in the Cos on the Westbound) can lead to a full suspension, I have witnessed a few times in the past year. This saw trains sitting down in platforms back to Abbey Wood, with trains then being held in platforms on the Eastbound also. A train then arrives at Whitechapel with nowhere to go; now causing a suspension of the Eastbound toward Stratford. On the Underground, Service Control would typically either divert the train to the other branch (not an option here as NR would be unable to accept it due to no paths avaliable), or detrain it and start stacking them up in the tunnel. Unfortunately in all instances I’ve seen, the train is just left there.
This is all compounded by a rule book, which whilst supposedly bespoke to the central operating section, takes most of its principles from the RSSB rule books used on the Main Line.
And MTR are trying to cover it up with the service still only advertising Minor delays on the Shenfield branch bexusee of the earlier signalling issue at TCR.
Wonder if passengers would find it funny that they're being held hostage by a swan.
Problem is that in saying minor delays it seem they aren't going into the contingencies fully which would at least have kept part of the cos running.
They will because saying a severe delay doesn't bold well penalty wise. They'll try keep it like that till its too far gone which honestly its getting close to the hour mark now. Well at least this still shows that Swans hold the majority rule.
Problem is that in saying minor delays it seem they aren't going into the contingencies fully which would at least have kept part of the cos running.
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87electric
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How many minutes now?
1hr and 5mins
Longest Hostage negotiations I've ever seen with a Swan. Passengers on the platforms are getting erratic, they basically want the swan run over at this point but that won't happen as they've been told repeatedly. Swan apparently has Cygnets so that complicates things.
DEFarnes
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I'm at Stratford now and we are definitely being told over the PA about the Swan.
Yeh its got down by now to the east since nothings really moving our side.
Small Update 13:25 Looks like at Woolwich two trains are going to be turned back to the Depot. I believe the two at Abbey Wood will probably head to the Depot aswell. Nvm that is now a confirmed move as one Abbey train has become 5P98 to plumstead sidings. They'll try and clear the eastbound for possibly I assume bi-directional running.
Thought they'd do that 30mins ago but seems its being done anyway alas.
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DEFarnes
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Although a train has currently spent 8 minutes at Stratford being unable to open the doors.
I disagree. It highlights the unnecessarily complex nature of the operation with various parties involved, the poor information provided to customers, and the slow speed of incident response.
I've just been diverted into Liverpool St High Level on a service that was bound for Heathrow - lots of bemused passengers wondering where to go!
Its not unique (passenger info systems not working properly) to those trains. It sometimes happens on the new Greater Anglia trains as well. Over the years on various trains I have seen displays say the wrong destination, wrong stopping pattern and not updating the stops!
Maybe it had had a falling out with the other trains and the fat controller had sent it into the tunnels to avoid further conflict with the trains on the upper level!
Jamiescott1
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Says EL services suspended between Abbey Wood and Heathrow.
HX is still running to Heathrow
HX is still running to Heathrow
I assume we'll have ticket accepted on the HEX but that will no doubt make them quite pack. I say good day however, they're getting some heavy action for the first time in a while.
A swan/animal could block a NR line for a long period also. Westbound trains have nowhere to go, especially as Westbourne Park was blocked. It seems a suspension was eventually advertised also.
You’d have to just stack the trains in the tunnel, potentially turn them around back towards Abbey Wood/Shenfield (at that time of day early turn drivers are meant to be booking off so might not be willing & there’s only so many crossovers), use the high level platforms (limited availability) or bin trains off to depots.
The only way to make it less complex would be run it in 3 parts again but the GWML and GEML timetables have changed already and it wouldn’t really what was advertised.
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